)TǿS 5NIV OF #EBU VERSUS 534 IN ʃNAL
Reigning CESAFI champion University of Cebu spoiled what could have been an all-UAAP final as it pulled the rug from under National University, 78-68, on Thursday night in the 8th Mayor Kim Lope A. Asis Invitationals at the Lope Asis Memorial Gymnasium in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.
Veteran guard Shane Menina haunted his former teammates, banging in seven points in a decisive 14-2 closeout inside the final three minutes as the Phoenix Fuel Life-supported Webmasters stunned the Madyaw Construction-backed Bulldogs in their crossover knockout semifinal.
“I just told the boys that ‘The fourth quarter is still anybody’s ballgame. The team who wants it more will prevail,’” said veteran UC tactician Yayoy Alcoseba. “I’m happy that they were able to hold their ground defensively and stayed patient offensively.”
The stunning victory over NU, the Group A topnotcher, enabled UC to earn the right to face rebuilding UAAP side University of Santo Tomas in the winner-takeall match of the most prestigious inter-collegiate cage event in southern Philippines offering a whopping ₱200,000 in cash for the ventral champion.
The Vincare Pharma-supported Growling Tigers finally played true to their full potential as they handled the ARQ Builders-backed Lyceum Pirates, 101-88, behind a roaring start.
Gunslinger Renzo Subido sustained his red-hot performance with 23 points while backcourt partner Marvin Lee added 20 points for UST, which exploded for 37 points in the first period and never allowed Lyceum to make any headway from then on.
However, much of the spotlight still belonged to UC, which proved to have enough gas left in the tank despite beating the Greene Builders-backed Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan in the morning session.
Most of the credit should be given to Menina, a former NU hopeful who was a non-factor in the early goings but struck the hardest when UC needed him the most, starting with the go-ahead and-one play off the first of his two steals against counterpart Chami Diputado in the stretch.